Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

I love to read, recommend books and open the world of reading to others. I tutor to ensure that the next generation of readers will know the joys of a good book because their reading skills have improved. I am an avid reader, especially of mysteries and fiction. I believe that two of the world's greatest inventions were the public library and eyeglasses!

An e book bargain-So much can happen:

In the Blink of an Eye

A Novel

by Jo Callaghan

#IntheBlinkofanEye #NetGalley

I had seen this book on a British bookstore’s website and was quite intrigued. I was delighted when it became available in the U.S. and thrilled to get an early review copy of this series starter.

Jo Callaghan has already received awards and praise for her debut. She is the Winner of the Crime Writers’ Association’s John Creasy New Blood Dagger Award and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. These are huge accomplishments and, in my opinion, well deserved.

Readers will not forget Kat and Aide. Kat is a detective who has been paired with an artificial intelligence device. It is an experiment to see if and how AI might be useful in investigations. Aide can assume bodily form as a hologram, at times causing much consternation. He also can be rather outspoken. There is much interplay between Kat’s intelligence and emotions as compared with Aide’s brilliance and lack of tact.

Kat, Aide, her team and the creator of Aide Lock are tasked with the investigation of two (cold) missing persons cases, both young men. One is a Black student missing from Uni. The other is a white theater graduate who is from a well to do family. Are these situations independent or linked?

In this novel, there is an excellent mystery plot and added to this are the AI elements of the story. Both kept me turning the pages and sad to reach the end of the story. Luckily the sequel, which is out in the UK, will be coming to the U.S. before too long.

The other aspect of the story that I enjoyed was the characters. Each had enough back story to keep them interesting. In the case of Kat, she is widowed and has a teenage son. One of her investigators has a sister who had a bad experience at university while another, Debbie, seemingly lacks confidence. The relatives of the missing young men and others also very much come to life.

This book is easily one of my favorites of the year. I hope Callaghan writes many more titles.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this one. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 06 August 2024

From the Publisher

Two detectives: one human, one AI. And a case that will test them both.
Lisa Jewell says the book is just brilliant.Claire Mackintosh says it’s the most original crime novel you’ll read this year.Val McDermid says it’s terrifyingly timely and provocative.
Chris Whitaker says it’s wildly original, heartfelt, funny, and properly thrilling.

A History of Ancient Rome in Twelve Coins

by Gareth Harney

#AHistoryofAncientRomeinTwelveCoins #NetGalley

Those interested in ancient civilizations and that of Rome, especially, will want to take a look at this interesting take on exploring a (long) historical period.

Harney teaches readers just how significant each of these coins was/is. He knew this from childhood when his father placed a two thousand year old coin with Trajan’s likeness in his hand. He notes that coins transmit more than monetary value as they reflect the ethos of their culture.

Harney offers the reader a well-researched and entertaining take on history. Definitely one for anybody interested in ancient cultures.

Note that I enjoyed the map and illustrations that were included. They bring the text to life.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 14 January 2025

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Excellent…enjoyable…1,000 years of Rome told in an engaging new way.”—The Times (London)

“Fantastic…a brilliant combination of history and expert storytelling – if anyone reads the first five pages, they’ll be up all night with it.” —Conn Iggulden, bestselling author of the Emperor series

“A novel and highly readable approach to Roman history. The author’s enthusiasm shines through on every page.” —Philip Matyszak, author of A History of Ancient Rome in 100 Lives

“Extremely enjoyable. A brilliant combination of entertaining and educational Roman history that makes numismatics vivid and exciting.” —Emma Southon, author of A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women

An e book bargain: Such an interesting woman: The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post

A Novel

by Allison Pataki

An e book bargain

#TheMagnificentLivesofMarjoriePost #NetGalley Pub Date 15 Feb 2022 |

Readers of historical fiction, mark your calendars for this books release da te. It is fabulous.

Allison Pataki tells the story of Marjorie Merriweather Post from her childhood right on through her “many lives.” She was a daughter, wife (multiple times), mother, key part of Post (later known as General) Foods, society woman, charitable worker and donor, ambassador’s wife, builder of multiple estates and more. The pages just flew as I followed Marjorie through her life.

Readers will travel with Marjorie to many locations. Among these are Battle Creek, Washington DC, Manhattan, the Adirondacks, Palm Beach (Mar-a-Lago) and Moscow. Readers experience Marjorie’s own experiences in each of these places.

Relationships were a big part of Marjorie’s life. No spoiler so I won’t write about how many times she married or who her husbands or children were.

I so highly recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction. It is one of the best that I have read in this genre.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Let’s listen: Tell Me Everything-an e book bargain

A Novel

by Elizabeth Strout

#TellMeEverything #NetGalley

Anyone who has read one book by Elizabeth Strout will surely read all of her others. I found this one to be a special treat because it brings together characters from earlier titles including (my favorite) Bob Burgess, Olive Kitteridge, Lucy Barton and others.

The prose is beautiful, the story is engaging and the visit to Crosby, Maine is most welcome. I was delighted to follow the challenges and relationships in this small community.

I find Strout to be such a wise author. This is definitely a book to add to a fiction lover’s TBR list.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 10 September 2024

For when information is needed: Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists (Tenth Edition)

by Bret A. Moore; John D Preston; John H O’Neal; Mary C. Talaga

#HandbookofClinicalPsychopharmacologyforTherapists #NetGalley

Mental health clinicians will, I think, welcome this excellent reference. It is comprehensive and detailed.

The text is broken into four major sections with additional information at the end of the book. These sections are Understanding Pyschopharmacology: The Basics; Clinical Syndromes: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Implications; Medications; and Special Considerations.

It is easy to search for needed information in the book. There is much more than an explication of medications. There are also descriptions of psychological/psychiatric disorders, for example.

Highly recommended for its intended audience.

Many thanks to NetGalley and New Harbinger Publications for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 02 January 2024

An e book bargain

How to Survive in Ancient Greece by Robert Garland

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

The publisher of this book, Pen & Sword, previously issued a book called How to Survive in Ancient Egypt. I enjoyed that book so was delighted to have the opportunity to read the ARC of a book on surviving in Ancient Greece. (See archive for a review of the Egypt title).
If you are interested in the subject, this book is a treasure trove. Read about Athenian history and learn how the city was run. Learn more about the religion, the family the system of slavery and more. Find out how women were viewed by men, how children were treated and educated, where to shop, what a house looked like, jobs and more. This book includes so many interesting sections.
If you are a person who enjoys imagining life in other eras, give this book a try. I think that you will be fascinated.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths is an e book bargain

My earlier review:

I have absolutely adored Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway mystery series and hope that she will continue to write many more book about Ruth, her family, colleagues and friends. Ms. Griffiths has also penned the post-war Max Mephisto series. Now, she has written her first standalone novel. I will start by saying that this atmospheric, character driven story does not disappoint.

Plot: Clare is a teacher at the school where her daughter, Georgia, is a student. Harbinder is a Detective Sergeant whose alma mater is this school. When Clare’s colleagues begin to die, Harbinder is assigned the investigation. The school also has close ties to the author of a very scary story. These threads intertwine to produce a suspenseful, somewhat Gothic tale.

Most interesting to me in the book were the many characters and their interrelationships. There are Clare and her ex-husband, Clare and her daughter, Clare and her colleagues, Clare and Harbinder. Then there are Georgie and her parents, Georgie and her teachers, Georgie and her boyfriend, Georgie and her writing group, etc.

Another feature of the novel is the offering of different points of view. The reader sees events through the eyes of Clare, Georgie and Harbinder.

As in all good mysteries there are some twists. This is a novel that I definitely recommend. My favorite novels by this author are still the Ruth novels but this is worth a read for suspense lovers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read by one of my favorite authors!